Chapter Fifteen
Valeris
Ihated fighting theHaskelle.
They dueled with the only tactic they knew—brute force.
The crown prince of Ingon at least portrayed an art to his fencing, but this Haskelle was out for blood.Winning wasn’t an issue.I could easily beat him, but I wanted to keep all my limbs during the process.Pure rage encompassed his face, but beneath hovered a layer of nervousness.He knew he had to win to secure Haskelle’s alliances, but he didn’t know how.I danced around him, darting this way and that, keeping his feet moving and his brain occupied.The crowd expected a show.I gave them one.
I let us play it out, watching the warrior’s frustration increase as I wore him down, preventing him from gaining any upper hand in the fight.My adrenaline fed off the crowd’s energy, my strikes growing bolder, my execution more polished.In one swift move I unarmed him, sword tip pressed against his chest.His face reddened, but he stepped back and bowed with honor to show respect where it was due.
The crowd cheered, chanting my name, and a wide grin spread across my face as I hopped over the fence and sheathed my sword, climbing the dais to receive my prize.A medal, nothing of considerable value, but winning made myself and my kingdom far more impressive to everyone in the room.
I trotted down the steps of the dais, startled when a woman all but threw herself at me.
“Oh, darling, you did wonderful!”
She grasped my shoulders, lifting up on her tiptoes to peck a kiss on my cheek.
I stiffened, my mind and skin recoiling at the unwelcome touch.
She must have sensed my reaction because she pulled back.
Analleia.
I saw Howland moving, nearly upon us.My fingers flashed at my side, sending a silent signal.He couldn’t interfere.Not here.I could have her arrested for that contact, but the scene it would cause would disrupt everything I had just accomplished.
Sheknew that.
My jaw clenched, the heat of the crowd’s gaze boring into us, solidifying this moment in their minds to gossip about later.Whispers rose around the room like the hushed murmuring of spirits.
I cocked my head to the side, spitting words out between the gritted teeth of a forced smile.“I thought you only worked alone?”
Her eyebrow arched.“I can be persuaded to change my mind.”
The crowd pressed closer, desperate for a chance to overhear any morsel of our conversation.
I pursed my lips to contain my irritation.“Perhaps we should go somewhere quieter?”
My hand slipped around her back, pushing her forward to accompany me.She fought against the pressure for half a second, but I propelled her forward, not giving her a choice.I scooted in closer, drawing eyes as I curled my hand around her waist.I sensed her discomfort and felt a twinge of guilt, but I shoved it away.She started this.I would have never paid her any heed if she hadn’t waltzed into my deal with Lord Eyreling.
I maneuvered us through the attentive crowd and up to the second balcony where we were in full view of the ballroom below but far enough away that unwanted ears couldn’t overhear.I sensed Howland nearby, hiding in the shadows.
Analleia tried to step away, but I boxed her between the railing and the pillar, placing a hand above her head and leaning in.She glared up at me, unable to move or regain control of this situation with all the eyes watching from below.Since I held the high ground, I had the advantage, and I didn’t make a scene.I imagined both of us wanted to avoid that.
I smirked at her dilemma.
“So have you been?”I asked.“Persuaded to change your mind?”
Mischief sparkled in her bright blue eyes.“I’ve reconsidered your offer.”
